Batman #20 Review

Clayface gets an upgrade.

Scott Snyder's Clayface-centric arc, "Nowhere Man," concludes in Batman #20 as Bruce tries to balance keeping his secret identity secret and dealing with the loss of his son.

The issue picks up where we left our hero, being thrown into a wall by a new and improved Clayface. No longer a mere superficial shapeshifter, Clayface now has the ability to mimic people on a molecular level while the DNA of Basil Karlo fades away into nothingness. There's an element of the smirking Bond villain as Clayface explains, in loving detail, his evil plan. Using his shapeshifting ability, he's set up a blackmailing scheme that provides him a steady source of income provided his victims keep their traps shut and stay in line. Once Bruce Wayne's former colleague throws a wrench into his plans with an untimely suicide, Clayface takes aim at Gotham's favourite billionaire playboy.

The big fight scene gets bogged down with all that exposition, and there are a few moments throughout that flirt with the possibility of Batman's secret identity being exposed and the fact that the obvious is waved so blatantly before two of the smartest men in Bruce's life without them connecting the dots stretches the plot's credibility a touch too thin. Lucius not being the least bit curious that a custom made batsuit fits Bruce like it was made for him is just as odd as Gordon not raising an eyebrow at Batman's uncharacteristically emotional outburst at Clayface's mention of Damian Wayne.

The issue's strongest moment, rendered beautifully by artist Greg Capullo, is the coda. Bruce admits that he's not quite ready to let go and Alfred, ever dependable Alfred, is there to let him know he needn't bear his burdens alone. The inks and colours, provided by Danny Miki and FCO Plascencia are at their most striking during this tender moment in the Batcave and it's more than enough to make the most cynical fan get a little misty-eyed.

Melissa Grey is a lover of all things cats, comics, and outer space. She can be found on MyIGN at MelissaGrey or lurking on Twitter @meligrey.